Carlin pours cold water on 2011 entry bid rumours

Contrary to reports, Carlin has insisted that it is not 'in any position' to apply to join the grand prix grid in 2011 - even if F1 remains 'a long-term goal' for the ultra-successful outfit.

Carlin has refuted claims that it has tabled a bid to join the grand prix grid in 2011, insisting that it is not in 'any position' to contemplate such a leap at present and that it remains '100 per cent focussed' on its challenges in British F3, World Series by Renault and the inaugural GP3 Series.

It had been reported in various sections of the international motorsport media that the ultra-successful British outfit - which boasts an enviable record in the junior formulae and has in the past run drivers of the calibre of Sebastian Vettel, Jaime Alguersuari, Takuma Sato, Anthony Davidson and Oliver Turvey - had expressed a desire to join the battle to become the 13th team in the top flight in 2011.

However, director Trevor Carlin has asserted that the reigning triple British F3 Champions - indeed, the most crowned team in the category's history - and current British F3 and World Series championship leaders have no intention of joining the fray yet, despite having previously shown interest back in 2008, the team being based in the former Brabham F1 factory in Surrey, complete with wind tunnel, and Carlin himself having F1 pedigree from his days as Jordan Grand Prix sporting director.

"While F1 may be a long-term goal for the team, we have not submitted an application for the 2011 season, nor are we in any position to do so," he affirmed. "At the moment, we are 100 per cent focussed on our current programmes and continue to put all our efforts into winning championships and races in the junior categories."

GP2 Series benchmark ART Grand Prix, the mysterious American Cypher Group, Spanish sportscar and single-seater squad Epsilon Euskadi and Italian hope Durango look to be the leading candidates to snatch the spot that would have been USF1's next year.